Describe how you are currently implementing this strategy in your classroom with or without technology. Then share new insights or ideas you gained from this reading.
I read the article and agreed with it up until I saw the strategies. I disagree with many of them. I do not see any problem with individually rewarding a student with verbal praise for work well done. In fact, I did it just the other day with a student in my video production who, much to my surprise, has really stepped up since the class he had with me last semester. He deserved verbal praise. Now, I didn't give him individual praise (call him out) in front of other students. I was able to do this in a situation when he was the only student near me. But he heard the praise and I hope it stuck with him. Our school has been part of the Baldrige process where posting grades for the entire class to see has been a regular thing. Ex. 80% of all students in class A, received an A, 10% received a C, 5% received a D, etc. I have not seen this strategy to be a motivating factor in our school. I have not seen kids say to themselves or anyone else, that (if they were getting a D) that they hoped their percentage would be reflected in the A column next week. In fact, I have seen equal or more apathy. My feeling is that giving students verbal praise when verbal praise is due works well and is effective. And, when the collective group deserves praise, they get that too. I'm happy to say that has happened in four of my five classes so far this year.
Apply and Reflect
This was fun and SO easy. I could see doing this for my classes especially when it fits a particular learning objective or outcome. The bummer about this type of project is having the financial resources to print large images for the class is that it is an out of pocket expense. It might reap some benefit, but I can't see the kids going home and saying, "Mom! Guess what!? Mrs. Clayton printed a motivational poster with our class picture on it." This is why I think verbal praise is more effective because I CAN see a student going home and saying, "Mom! Guess what!? Mrs. Clayton said my camera work for a my news package was exquisite."
Describe how you are currently implementing this strategy in your classroom with or without technology. Then share new insights or ideas you gained from this reading.
I read the article and agreed with it up until I saw the strategies. I disagree with many of them. I do not see any problem with individually rewarding a student with verbal praise for work well done. In fact, I did it just the other day with a student in my video production who, much to my surprise, has really stepped up since the class he had with me last semester. He deserved verbal praise. Now, I didn't give him individual praise (call him out) in front of other students. I was able to do this in a situation when he was the only student near me. But he heard the praise and I hope it stuck with him. Our school has been part of the Baldrige process where posting grades for the entire class to see has been a regular thing. Ex. 80% of all students in class A, received an A, 10% received a C, 5% received a D, etc. I have not seen this strategy to be a motivating factor in our school. I have not seen kids say to themselves or anyone else, that (if they were getting a D) that they hoped their percentage would be reflected in the A column next week. In fact, I have seen equal or more apathy. My feeling is that giving students verbal praise when verbal praise is due works well and is effective. And, when the collective group deserves praise, they get that too. I'm happy to say that has happened in four of my five classes so far this year.
Apply and Reflect
This was fun and SO easy. I could see doing this for my classes especially when it fits a particular learning objective or outcome. The bummer about this type of project is having the financial resources to print large images for the class is that it is an out of pocket expense. It might reap some benefit, but I can't see the kids going home and saying, "Mom! Guess what!? Mrs. Clayton printed a motivational poster with our class picture on it." This is why I think verbal praise is more effective because I CAN see a student going home and saying, "Mom! Guess what!? Mrs. Clayton said my camera work for a my news package was exquisite."